Systems, Methods and Apparatus for Real-Time, Multi-Location Wildfire Surveillance, Local Parameter Acquisition, Data Transmission, and Integrated Situation Monitoring and Analysis for Improved Wildfire Management and Suppression

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the Invention provide real-time portable, deployable data acquisition units and monitoring consoles that can be used in combination with radio communication technology to provide for monitoring of wildfires and local weather conditions to aid in fighting wildfires.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/561,336, filed Dec. 23, 2021, which is U.S. Pat. No.11,747,516 as of Sep. 5, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/057,497, filed Aug. 7, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.11,237,297, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/571,263, filed Dec. 15, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,042,086, whichclaims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/916,151filed Dec. 14, 2013. Each of these applications is incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of firefighting and moreparticularly to the field of fighting wildfires and even moreparticularly to the field of information acquisition and situationmonitoring for improved management of wildfires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wildfires occur all the time all over the world. They have a significantpresence in the US Southwest and are growing more intense as overgrowthhas increased and as climate changes lead to drier conditions. They canhave both destructive and regenerative effects. Occasional fires canprevent larger more destructive fires by limiting fuel sources, butwildfire suppression remains a common goal particularly inurban-wildland interface areas where immediate property damage andpublic safety issues dominate. When the goal is to suppress or eliminatea wildfire, manpower mobilization, cost, and rapid resource availabilitycan be critical and controlling issues.

A need exists for reducing wildfire fighting costs, reducing risksinvolved in fighting the fires, and reducing damage caused by suchfires. Put another way, a need to gain more rapid control andcontainment of wildfires exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that costs, risks, damage reduction, and/or more rapidcontainment of wildfires can be achieved, at least in part, byutilization of improved methods and systems for monitoring wildfiremovements.

It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide a costreduction in fighting wildfires.

It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide areduction in damage that could otherwise occur from wildfires andespecially from wildfires in wildland and urban interface regions.

It is an object of some embodiments to provide for more rapidcontainment of wildfires.

It is an object of some embodiments to reduce risk to firefighters whilefighting fires whether in a wildland setting, a wildland/urban interfacesetting, or in fighting building fires that have originated from outsidethe buildings.

It is an object of some embodiments to provide improved methods forfighting wildfires by providing enhanced and/or more timely data tofirefighters and fire analysts.

It is an object of some embodiments to provide improved apparatus and/orsystems for fighting wildfires by collecting and presenting enhancedand/or more timely data to firefighters and fire analysts.

Other objects and advantages of various embodiments and aspects of theinvention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon review ofthe teachings herein. The various aspects of the invention, set forthexplicitly herein or otherwise ascertained from the teachings herein,may address any one of the above objects alone or in combination, oralternatively may address some other object of the invention ascertainedfrom the teachings herein. It is not intended that any specific aspectof the invention (that is explicitly set forth below or that isascertained from the teachings herein) necessarily address any of theobjects set forth above let alone address all these objectssimultaneously; however, some aspects may address one or more of theseobjects or even all these objects simultaneously. It is not intendedthat all aspects of the invention be simultaneously met by any specificimplementation or use of the invention but that each aspect, whetherexplicitly set forth or ascertained from the teachings herein as awhole, independently represent such an implementation or use (e.g.,method of making, method of use, apparatus, or system) of a variation ofthe invention.

In a first aspect of the invention a portable, unmanned, real-time,remote, wildfire parameter data acquisition unit (DAU), includes: (a) aworking head comprising a housing, a plurality of sensors, and controland communications electronics; (b) a power source connected to thecontrol and communication electronics; (c) a stand including at leastone leg which can be used to locate the working head off the ground witha desired orientation and height; wherein the plurality of sensorsconsist of at least three transducers selected from the group consistingof: (1) at least one wind speed to electrical signal transducer, (2) atleast one wind direction to electrical signal transducer, (3) at leastone humidity to electrical signal transducer, (4) at least one airtemperature to electrical signal transducer, (5) at least one surfacetemperature to electrical signal transducer, (6) at least one gravitydirection to electrical signal transducer, (7) at least one compassdirection to electrical signal transducer, (8) at least one GPS locationto electrical signal transducer, (9) at least one GPS orientation toelectrical signal transducer, (10) at least one level to electricalsignal transducer, (11) at least one barometric pressure to electricalsignal transducer, (12) at least one visible imaging to electricalsignal transducer, (13) at least one IR imaging to electrical signaltransducer, (14) a plurality of differently oriented non-imaging IR toelectrical signal transducers, (15) at least one electrical signal toradio wave transducer, (16) at least one radio wave to electrical signaltransducer, (17) at least one sound transducer, (18) at least one userinput to electrical transducer, (19) at least one electrical signal touser understandable output signal (e.g., readable display signal, lightsignal, sound signal, tactile signal, and the like), and (20) a powersource power level sensor; and wherein the control and communicationelectronics comprise circuitry to provide at least three functionsselected from the group consisting of: (1) sending radio signalscarrying data derived from the at least three sensors, (2) receivingradio signals and modifying a behavior of the DAU according to receivedsignals, (3) analyzing data obtained from at least one sensor to yieldtrend information from that sensor, (4) analyzing data obtained from atleast one sensor and modifying the types, powers, or evenelectromagnetic transmit frequencies of radio signals being sent out,and (5) analyzing data obtained from at least one sensor and modifyingthe time frequency of radio signals being sent out.

Numerous variations of the first aspect of the invention exist and mayinclude for example those elements noted in the claims that depend onclaim 1 as set forth in the filing of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/571,263. Other variations are possible and may, for example, combinethe variations of the first aspect with one another.

A second aspect of the invention provides a portable, unmanned,real-time wildfire remote fire parameter data acquisition unit (DAU),including: (a) a working head comprising a housing, and a plurality ofsensors; (b) control and communication electronics; (c) a power sourceconnected to the sensors and control and communication electronics;wherein the plurality of sensors consist of at least three transducersselected from the group consisting of: (1) at least one wind speed toelectrical signal transducer, (2) at least one wind direction toelectrical signal transducer, (3) at least one humidity to electricalsignal transducer, (4) at least one air temperature to electrical signaltransducer, (5) at least one surface temperature to electrical signaltransducer, (6) at least one gravity direction to electrical signaltransducer, (7) at least one compass direction to electrical signaltransducer, (8) at least one GPS location to electrical signaltransducer, (9) at least one GPS orientation to electrical signaltransducer, (10) at least one level to electrical signal transducer,(11) at least one barometric pressure to electrical signal transducer,(12) at least one visible imaging to electrical signal transducer, (13)at least one IR imaging to electrical signal transducer, (14) aplurality of differently oriented non-imaging IR to electrical signaltransducers, (15) at least one electrical signal to radio wavetransducer, (16) at least one radio wave to electrical signaltransducer, (17) at least one sound transducer, (18) at least one userinput to electrical transducer, (19) at least one electrical signal touser understandable output signal (e.g., readable display signal, lightsignal, sound signal, tactile signal, and the like), and (20) a powersource power level sensor; and wherein the control and communicationelectronics comprise circuitry to provide at least three functionsselected from the group consisting of: (1) sending radio signalscarrying data derived from the at least three sensors, (2) receivingradio signals and modifying a behavior of the DAU according to receivedsignals; (3) analyzing data obtained from at least one sensor to yieldtrend information from that sensor, (4) analyzing data obtained from atleast one sensor and modifying the types of radio signals being sentout, and (5) analyzing data obtained from at least one sensor andmodifying the frequency of radio signals being sent out.

A third aspect of the invention provides a system for monitoringwildfires, including: (a) at least one real-time portable wildfire dataacquisition unit (DAU); (b) at least one command and control console(CCC) which provides a primary interface with a system user; and whereininformation gathered by the at least one DAU is displayed on the CCC toprovide a user with useful near-real time information.

Numerous variations of the second aspect of the invention exist and mayinclude for example those variations as noted for the first aspect.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method for monitoringwildfires, including: (a) deploying and activating a plurality of DAUs,(b) obtaining near-real time data from the DAUs at at least one commandand control console, (c) monitoring the displayed data, (d) makingfirefighting decisions, based at least in part, on the displayed data.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides a wildfire command and controlconsole capable of receiving data from a plurality of DAUs, capable ofpresenting the data in a graphical format on a display overlaid on a mapshowing the positions of the DAUs.

Additional aspects of the invention provide DAUs, systems and methods,similar to those noted in the first through fifth aspects with theexception that the DAUs, the systems, and/or the methods are used tomonitor critical situations other than wildfires, such as flood controlbasins, potential slide, or mud flow regions during rains in regionsthat have been subject to wildfires.

Further variations of the aspects of the invention are possible. Forexample, a variation set forth in association with one aspect of theinvention may act as a variation of another aspect of the invention oreven a variation of a variation of another aspect of the invention solong as the added variation does not completely eliminate the functionof the original aspect, the original variation of the aspect, orvariations of the aspect. Further aspects of the invention will beunderstood by those of skill in the art upon reviewing the teachingsherein. These other aspects of the invention may provide variouscombinations of the aspects presented above as well as provide otherconfigurations, structures, functional relationships, processes,alternative ordering of steps from the example processes set forthherein and uses that have not been specifically set forth above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an example of what a fire behavior analyst might see ona CCC when a fire in the Santa Clarita valley area of California issurrounded by several dozen DAU devices.

FIG. 2 provides an example of what a fire behavior analyst might seewhen looking at a region where DAUs are located between a fire and anumber of structures.

FIG. 3 focuses attention down to only the local groups of DAUs that arebeing used directly by several SPUs to provide enhanced structuralprotection.

FIG. 4 depicts an even closer view of a single SPU, its structures andits DAUs along with more detailed information being provided by eachDAU.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of some elements that may beincluded in a DAU.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two versions of the relationship between DAUs andcommand and control consoles.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict collapsed and expanded versions of a DAU thatuses a tripod stand.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict closed and open versions, respectively, of a DAUthat includes a pyramidal box-like protective housing from which thesensor array can be extended from or drawn into.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict another alternative DAU configuration wherein thestand includes a single pole-like leg, a base and a pivotable jointbetween the two.

FIGS. 10A and 10B provide another example DAU lowered into theprotective housing and raised out of the housing where the DAU isprovided with a pole like stand and a spike and base which may be usedto stick the pole into the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments provide improved systems and methods for gatheringinformation during a wildfire or other short term event (e.g., days toweeks to months), typically from multiple (2 or more, 10 or more or even100 or more) Real-Time unmanned Surveillance and Data Acquisition sensorarray Units (RTSDAUs) or more simply Data Acquisition Units (DAUs)deployed at strategic locations around a fire (e.g., on ridges, invalleys or canyons, around escape routes, around structures, and thelike) or other situations (e.g., post wildfire slide or mudflow regions)that could benefit from monitoring. Such apparatus may include one ormore working heads that may include various sensors, actuators, ahousing, shields, water jackets, batteries, battery charging systems(solar, wind, thermal electric generators, or the like), one or morefixed, adjustable, or even actuatable legs for positioning and orientingthe working heads (e.g., 5-8 feet, or more, off the ground with, forexample, a nominally horizontal primary orientation), open or windowedhousings, motors or actuators for reorienting position (e.g., of cameraviewing direction). In some implementations, batteries may be locatedaway from the working heads, e.g., in shielded housings on the ground atthe base of a DAU. Gathered data is transmitted by RF, wired, or otherwireless technology to local or central command centers where the datais received directly by one or more command and control consoles, CCC(e.g., computers and display panels running specialized software). Insome cases, particularly when the monitored area is not too large, theCCC might take the form of a laptop, tablet, cell phone, or the likewhile in other cases, e.g., when a larger area to be monitored exists,the CCC functionality might be divided between multiple laptops, or thelike, and may also use supplemental displays (e.g., LED, LCD, plasmadisplays, projectors, or the like). The data display may occur via textbut in the most preferred embodiments, most data is displayed in agraphical or image-based format over a map (e.g., a topo map, asatellite image, a real-time visual image, or IR image gathered by asatellite, drone, helicopter, or the like) of the region based on GPScoordinates of the individual DAUs. Information gathered and transmittedmay include for example wind direction, wind speed, air temperature,humidity, barometric pressure, directional IR levels around and abovethe sensor array, visual images and/or IR images, GPS coordinators,compass direction, gravity direction (e.g., this may be used to detectsystems that have fallen over), DAU status, and the like. In the mostpreferred embodiments imaging systems will provide vision capability inmultiple directions (e.g., forward-backward, side-to-side, in 60-degreeintervals circumferentially around the array and possibly above thearray or at various angles (e.g., to provide visual or IR imaging ofember movement), and/or or they may be directable in a programmed orcommanded manner. IR imaging sensors may measure relevant IR informationassociated with a fire using filtered wavelength bands that arenon-existent in ground level solar radiation so that solar radiationdoesn't blind or otherwise interfere with the detection of flying embersor relevant fire related detections. In some embodiments, actuatedcamera scanning may be eliminated. In some embodiments, still or videocamera functionality may be completely eliminated in favor ofdirectional IR sensing. In some embodiments imaging system orientationmay be dictated by the wind direction. In some implementations, DAUs orat least the sensor array portions thereof (e.g., working heads), may beactuatable between a primary functioning mode and a protected mode(e.g., turtle mode), wherein the most sensitive sensor array elements orcostly sensor array elements forming part of a DAU are withdrawn into aprotective shield (which may include radiation reflective shielding aswell as thermally insulative shielding and perhaps even water jacketedpockets to provide water that can boil away during high temperatureexposure events so as to maintain survivable temperature within theshielded enclosures for longer periods. The transition to protective, orturtle, mode can occur automatically based on data received from thesensor array indicating that the conditions for normal operation havebecome unfavorable or are anticipated to become unfavorable (e.g., whentemperature or IR levels become too high). Alternatively, the transitionmay occur upon command from a control center (e.g., to help protect thesystem from an upcoming water drop). In another alternative, approachingbattery depletion may dictate the transition from an operational to aprotected state. Similarly, the array may automatically come out of theprotective mode or be commanded to do so. In some embodiments, whereneed for data overrides enhanced survivability associated with enteringthe turtle mode, a DAU may be commanded to not enter turtle mode. Insome embodiments even while in protected mode, the sensor array and itscontrol systems may continue some data gathering, communication, andeven battery charging. In some implementations the sensor arrays andassociated hardware can provide radio wave repeater functionality toprovide improved overall radio communications (either for voicecommunications or data communications) during a fire. In someembodiments, the sensor arrays may not only include informationgathering and transmission capability but also data processingcapability to automatically change data transmission content whencertain events occur. For example, such a content change may occur whena fire or flying embers become visible in some direction (either as seenby a camera or by a directional IR tracker), or when wind direction,speed, temperature, humidity is changing or trending for good or bad.Alternatively, such processing of information may be limited to commandcenter computers based on raw data received. In some embodiments, theDAUs may be equipped with user interface features, displays, speakers,microphones, lights, beacons, or the like. In some embodiments radiocommunications may be line of sight based, cell tower based, satellitebased, or have a different RF basis.

Some embodiments of the invention provide for improved systems formonitoring fires and include: (1) Multiple (local or remote), unmannedinformation acquisition stations with real-time communication capability(e.g., Real-Time Data Acquisition Stations or Units, i.e. DAUs); (2) Oneor more data integration, processing, display, and possibly even controlstations (e.g., laptop computers running specialized programs possiblywith enhanced display capabilities, aka Data Integration and DisplayStations, or DIDSs); and programs, or hard coded functionality,executable by the multiple DAUs and DIDSs.

In some embodiments, the DAUs may include one or more sensor control,and communication modules (i.e., SCCMs). Some embodiments add additionalmechanical & electromechanical features to the one or morecommunications modules. In some embodiments, multiple communicationmodules may provide largely redundant functionality while in otherembodiments, different functionality might be provided by differentmodules. In some embodiments sensing functionality may be provided, atleast in part, in a distributed manner. In some embodiments, some SCCMsmay be provided with or be movable in and out of thermally shieldeddoors, walls, or housings.

In different embodiments, the DAUs may include a number of differenttypes of sensors, components, and/or functionality. For example, suchsensors, components, and functionality may include: (1) one or more GPScoordinate sensors (e.g., to provide a DAUs position information); (2)one or more compass direction sensors (e.g., to provide a DAUsorientation information or orientation information for individual DAUcomponents such as the direction a camera or IR directional sensor ispointing); (3) one or more gravity sensors (e.g., to aid in leveling aDAU or determining if it as fallen over), (4) one or more wind speedsensors; (5) one or more wind direction sensors; (6) one or moreinternal & external air temperature sensors; (7) one or more surfacetemperature sensors (e.g., to provide an indication of IR heating levelwithin a DAU); (8) one or more IR sensors, e.g., an array of IR sensorslooking horizontally and above the horizontal plane (e.g., to provide IRtracking or directional information for detecting visible fire or flyingembers) or even filtered wavelength specific IR sensors, e.g., that maybe used to separate IR readings originating from sources of interestfrom IR readings that originate from non-interesting sources (e.g.,flames are an interesting IR source but the sun may not be); (9) one ormore humidity sensors; (10) one or more barometric pressure sensors(e.g., this may be used in combination with other data to predictupcoming changes in wind direction or speed); (11) one or more elevationsensors; (12) one or more visible image camera/video systems; (13) oneor more IR image camera/video systems; (14) one or more microcontrollersand/or data processors (e.g., in some embodiments these may include userinterface controls for displays, microphones, and/or speakers); (15) oneor more batteries internal to an SCCM; (16) one or more batteriesexternal to an SCCM; (17) linear or rotary encoders (e.g., forascertaining motor or component position or as part of wind direction orwind speed detectors); (18) force or pressure sensors (e.g., for use indetermining wind speed): (19) motors or actuators located within an SCCMor external to an SCCM (e.g., for controlling horizontal rotational, orvertical tilt motion of a camera or video system that is internal to anSCCM, controlling the relative movement of protective doors or shields);thermal electric coolers (e.g., to help control the environment withinan SCCM or for a particular component; (20) one or more radio receivers;(21) one or more radio transmitters; (22) one or more radio signalrelays or repeaters; (23) window shielding, e.g., quartz, for protectingsensitive electronics while in operational mode and/or (24) additionalsensors or dual use of some of the above noted sensors for detectingground movement around a DAU, for example, to detect movement of theground during hillside or mudslide monitoring during rains after awildfire.

In different embodiments, the DAUs may include a number of additionalcomponents such as, for example: (1) A single pole-like leg (see FIGS.10A and 10B) with a mounting spike or positioning base with or withoutholes for locating mounting spikes or other anchoring elements (e.g.,rope and sand bags); (2) A tripod-like stand or quad-leg stand forpositioning an SCCM at a desired location (see FIGS. 7A and 7B); (3) ashielded rectangular base box, a three sided pyramid base box, or foursided pyramid base box in which the SCCM may be located duringprotective mode and from which the SCCM can extend during normaloperation (see FIGS. 8A and 8B); (4) relatively short legs extendingfrom a base box for leveling the base box relative to a non-horizontalor simply non-planar positioning location (see FIGS. 9A and 9B); (5)anchors for attaching the stand to the ground or other positioningsurface (e.g., roof of a building or structure; (6) one or morebatteries & protective compartments; (7) thermally shielded wiring forgetting power from the battery to the SCCM; (8) one or more batterychargers, such as a solar panel, a wind turbine, or a thermal electricgenerator; (9) multimode external SCCM housing components, for examplethose necessary to convert from a protected or turtle mode to a normalor operational mode; (10) strong, and potentially thermally insulating,durable construction materials such as steels, ceramics, rubber, quartz,aramids, and the like; (11) reflective shielding such as thin metalfoils (e.g., aluminum foil); (12) water pockets or jacketing in someshielding material to provide enhanced low temperature protection as thewater evaporates or boils away—such shielding may include plugs (e.g.,wax or the like) that inhibit low temperature evaporation but whichopens to provide water evaporation or boiling away as temperature beginsto rise—such shielding may be supplied in SCCM doors, housings, in thelegs of a stand, or the like; and (13) a low volume water supply andpump for boosting water jacket performance.

FIG. 1 provides an example of what a fire behavior analyst might see ona CCC when a fire in the Santa Clarita valley area of California issurrounded by several dozen DAU devices. The burnt area may or may notbe shown depending on how the software handles fire history informationor information from other sources such as drone flyovers, data gatheringfrom visible or infrared devices carried by helicopters or other fireretardant or water dropping aircraft. When viewing, an analyst mightselect between a number of different options some of which wouldillustrate one or more of the DAUs locations and status, wind speeds anddirections, temperatures, humidity, wind speed and direction trending,temperature trending, humidity trending, DAU battery status, DAU cameraimages and/or orientations, DAU IR tracking information, or the like.Due to the wide array perspective of the figure, little about the fireand individual DAUs are shown. More could be seen, for example, byclicking on individual DAUs or drawing a rough boundary around the areato be viewed.

FIG. 2 provides an example of what a fire behavior analyst might seewhen looking at a region where DAUs are located between a fire and anumber of structures. The DAUs are being displayed in this view assimple location points. As indicated in the figure, three structuralprotection units (SPUs) have been defined (in an actual fire emergency,to the extent SPUs were available many more would be defined and locatedin proximity to the other units). Each SPU is made up of one or morefire companies (engine or engines and its, or their, associatedfirefighters) and may be assigned a group of structures to protect. Thered dots in the figure represent DAUs some of which are deployed awayfrom structures while others are deployed close to, or even on, thestructures. The units that are far from the structures (remote units)are intended to provide insight regarding the fire's movement to acentral command center while the close by units, or local units, areintended to provide immediate information to a specific SPU concerningfire movement and ignition around the dwellings that they are toprotect. Due to the presence of these sensor units, firefighters in anSPU can focus more of their attention on putting out ignition sites andless on monitoring possible ignition sites around other structures intheir zones. This also may allow firefighters to stay closer together toimprove overall safety while also improving overall effectiveness.

FIG. 3 focuses attention down to only the local groups of DAUs that arebeing used directly by several SPUs to provide enhanced structuralprotection. CCCs at the command center might monitor these DAUs alongwith the remote units but most preferably each SPU has a CCC to monitorthe DAUs most relevant to it (i.e., those near its structures) andperhaps those along an escape route (if considered an issue). As withthe previous figures this figure shows the DAUs in a “display locationmode” only.

FIG. 4 depicts an even closer view of a single SPU, its structures andits DAUs along with more detailed information being provided by eachDAU. In this FIG. the CCC is displaying the DAUs data in a wind and firemode. Different symbols are used to convey different information to thefirefighters. The flames shown on the right side of the drawing may notactually be seen until this information is extracted from visual or IRcamera data. In this example, the directions of the arrows show thedirection the wind is blowing while the size of their respectivearrowheads show the local wind strength. The circle in the center ofeach DAU symbol shows an IR signature overhead. If the sun is overhead,it may be necessary to have filtered IR detection so that solar blinddeterminations may be made to allow detection of other IR sources thatare overhead (e.g., flying embers). Instead of using IR trackers forthis purpose, a visible camera or IR camera with image recognitionsoftware may be used. Imaging processing may be done at the DAUs or bythe CCC. The eight sections surrounding the central region for each DAUprovide an indication as to the directions in which IR signatures arepresent (e.g., from flames). The DAUs having multiple arrows showerratic wind conditions. In some embodiments, for example, flashing DAUimages may indicate that changes have occurred for which attention isrequired such as, for example, IR signals are coming from a newdirection, IR signals have increased significantly, local airtemperature has increased, a need to enter a protected state isapproaching or the DAU has already entered such a state, or the like. Asindicated at the top of the figure, additional data from a given DAU canbe presented in text format. As noted previously, alternative screenconfigurations can be shown that present different types of data for allDAUs or for some DAUs. In some alternatives different icons may be usedto depict different fire relevant parameters either individually orsimultaneously. In some alternative embodiments, additional non-verticaland non-horizontal IR directional sensors may be used to provideadditional pieces of information.

FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of some elements that may beincluded in a DAU.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict two versions of the relationship between DAUs andcommand and control consoles.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict collapsed and expanded versions of a DAU thatuses a tripod stand and includes the ability to rotate the working headabout a vertical axis and rotate the working head to different anglesabove the horizontal plane, the device depicts a flag-like winddirection sensor and a triple cup wind speed sensor as well as domedsensor including a plurality of IR trackers. The device also includes acamera system and various other electronic modules. The legs includepads or feet that allow the insertion of spikes or other anchoringelements. Alternative devices may use different numbers of legs (e.g.,four legs), different numbers of leg extension sections such as 2, 4 or5 sections.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict open and closed versions of a DAU that includes apyramidal box-like protective housing from which the sensor array can beextended from or drawn into. The front protective shields have beenremoved so that the extendible arms, working head, battery, andcollapsible cap can be seen. The unit also includes extendable legs forleveling the device on uneven terrain. In alternative embodiments, theprotective housing may take on a rectangular-box shape, a cylindricalshape, a box with sloped sides and a vertical front and back, and thelike.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict another alternative DAU configuration wherein thestand includes a single pole-like leg, a base and a pivotable jointbetween the two. In some variations, the base may not only include holesfor holding spikes or other anchoring elements but standoffs forproviding a more stable contact with uneven terrain. In this embodiment,the working head is topped by a shielded cap and can move up and down,out of and into a protective housing that may for example be provided bya box, cylinder, hexagonal, or other extended hollow structure.

FIGS. 10A and 10B provide another example DAU lowered into theprotective housing as seen in FIG. 10A and raised out of the housing ascan be seen in FIG. 10B. In this embodiment the pole-like stand isprovided with a spike and base which may be used to anchor the pole tothe ground.

Control and command consoles (CCCs) or processing and display stations(PADS) useable with the various DAUs set forth herein may take on avariety of forms from laptop computers, workstations, tablets, and evensmart phones, or the like. Such CCCs may further include supplementalmonitors or projectors.

In use, data obtained from each DAU is periodically transmitted to theCCC, CCCs, PAD, and/or PADs so data may be displayed on a locationbasis, e.g., over a map of the region of interest, in substantially realtime. Various functionalities are possible and include for example (1)changing the display format or display content as a whole or on aDAU-by-DAU basis; (2) opening and closing visible or IR video displaysor still shot displays from individual DAUs, (3) turning selected DAUcameras to desired directions to gain additional insight about alocation, (4) communicating with DAUs as a whole or on an individualbasis, e.g., to change update rates, type of information being sent witheach update, camera type being used, camera direction, positionrecalibration, other DAU embedded functionality, and the like. In someembodiments, the CCC or PADS may directly transmit area relevantinformation to firefighters in those areas. Real time monitoring systemsas set forth herein may be used with personal electronic monitoringdevices carried by individual firefighters.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerousvariations of the embodiments of the invention are possible upon reviewof the teachings herein. Some such variations may involve completelyremoving the pole or leg portion of the DAUs in favor of other mountinghardware that may be used to attach the DAUs to some existing buildings,trees, fence posts and the like that may be located in an area ofinterest. In some embodiments, a working head may be located on acontrollable base which in turn sits on a battery or other relativelyheavy mounting structure.

In view of the teachings herein, many further embodiments, alternativemethods and systems will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Assuch, it is not intended that the invention be limited to theillustrative embodiments, alternatives, and uses described above butinstead that it be solely limited by the claims presented hereafter.

I claim:
 1. A system for monitoring wildfires, comprising: (a) at leastone real-time portable wildfire data acquisition unit (DAU); and (b) atleast one remote data integration and display station (DID) whichprovides an interface with a system user; wherein information gatheredby the at least one DAU is sent to and displayed on the DID to provide auser with useful real-time or near-real time information regarding firerelevant parameters, wherein the at least one DID provides data in acombined graphical and text-based format overlaid on an area map showingthe position of the at least one DAU.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe combined graphical and text-based display provides graphicalinformation in at least one form selected from the group consisting of:(G-i) graphical indication of wind direction at a location correspondingto at least one of the at least one DAU; (G-ii) graphical indication ofwind speed magnitude at a location corresponding to at least one of theat least one DAU; (G-iii) graphical indication of visible fire on adirection basis at a location corresponding to at least one of the atleast one DAU; (G-iv) graphical indication of presence of flying embersin proximity to a location corresponding to at least one of the at leastone DAU; (G-v) flashing graphical elements indicating a change in datafor which attention is required; (G-vi) visible images from a locationcorresponding to at least one of the at least one DAU; (G-vii) IR imagesfrom a location corresponding to at least one of the at least one DAU;and wherein the combined graphical and text-based display providestext-based information of at least one type selected from the groupconsisting of: (T-i) text-based indication of air temperature at alocation corresponding to at least one of the at least one DAU; (T-ii)text-based air temperature trend information at a location correspondingto at least one of the at least one DAU; (T-iii) text-based indicationof IR heating level at a location corresponding to at least one of theat least one DAU; (T-iv) text-based IR heating level trend informationat a location corresponding to at least one of the at least one DAU;(T-v) text-based indication of humidity at a location corresponding toat least one of the at least one DAU; (T-vi) text-based humidity trendinformation at a location corresponding to at least one of the at leastone DAU; (T-vii) text-based information corresponding to a location ofat least one of the at least one DAUs; and (T-viii) text-basedinformation corresponding to a camera viewing orientation for at leastone of the at least one DAU.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the atleast one DID provide control of at least some DAU functions andcomprises at least one of a command and control center, a processing anddisplay station, or a personal electronic monitoring device and whereinthe at least one DAU comprises a plurality of DAUs.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one DAU, comprises: A) a working headcomprising a housing, a plurality of sensors, and control andcommunication electronics; B) a power source connected to the controland communication electronics; wherein the plurality of sensors comprisea plurality of transducers with at least three transducers selected froma first group consisting of: (1) at least one wind speed to electricalsignal transducer, (2) at least one wind direction to electrical signaltransducer, (3) at least one humidity to electrical signal transducer,(4) at least one air temperature to electrical signal transducer, (5) atleast one surface temperature to electrical signal transducer, (6) atleast one gravity direction to electrical signal transducer, (7) atleast one compass direction to electrical signal transducer, (8) atleast one GPS location to electrical signal transducer, (9) at least oneGPS orientation to electrical signal transducer, (10) at least one levelto electrical signal transducer, and (11) at least one barometricpressure to electrical signal transducer; and wherein the plurality ofsensors further comprise at least one transducer selected from a secondgroup consisting of: (1) at least one visible imaging to electricalsignal transducer, (2) at least one IR imaging to electrical signaltransducer, and (3) a plurality of differently oriented non-imaging IRto electrical signal transducers; and wherein the plurality of sensorsfurther comprise at least two transducers selected from a third groupconsisting of: (1) at least one electrical signal to radio wavetransducer, (2) at least one radio wave to electrical signal transducer,(3) at least one sound to electrical signal transducer, (4) at least oneuser input to electrical signal transducer, (5) at least one electricalsignal to user understandable output signal transducer; and (6) a powersource power level transducer; and wherein the control and communicationelectronics comprise circuitry configured to provide a plurality offunctions comprising: (1) sending radio signals carrying data derivedfrom a plurality of the transducers (2) receiving radio signals andmodifying a behavior of the DAU according to received signals; and (3)providing at least one function selected from a fourth group consistingof: (a) analyzing data obtained from at least one transducer to yieldtrend information from that transducer, (b) analyzing data obtained fromat least one transducer and based at least in part on the analysis,modifying data being transmitted by changing the type of data beingtransmitted, (c) analyzing data obtained from at least one transducerand based at least in part on the analysis, modifying data beingtransmitted by changing a power of a transmitted signal, (d) analyzingdata obtained from at least one transducer and based at least in part onthe analysis, modifying an electromagnetic frequency of a signal beingtransmitted, (e) analyzing data obtained from at least one transducerand based at least in part on the analysis, modifying a time frequencyof signals being transmitted, and (f) analyzing data obtained from atleast one transducer and then modifying an operational mode of the DAUbased at least in part on such analysis.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein the at least one transducer of the second group comprises atleast two transducers, wherein the at least two transducers of the thirdgroup comprise at least three transducers, and wherein the at least onefunction of the fourth group comprises at least two functions.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the at least one DAU additionally comprises:A) a working head comprising a housing, a plurality of sensors, andcontrol and communication electronics; B) a power source connected tothe control and communication electronics; C) at least one actuator thatcan be used to implement one or more functions comprising at least onefunction selected from a fifth group consisting of: (1) modifying anobservation direction of the working head, (2) changing a height orvertical orientation of the working head, (3) relatively moving athermal shield and the working head to provide at least partial thermalshielding of the working head; D) electronic circuitry controlling theat least one actuator to provide the selected function in response to atleast one control signal arising from a sixth group consisting of: (1) asingle transducer reading, (2) a plurality of transducer readings, (3)analysis of one or more transducer signals by the electronic circuitryforming part of the DAU, and (4) a received radio signal.
 7. The systemof claim 1 wherein the at least one DAU additionally comprises anenclosure for protecting at least a portion of the at least one DAU,wherein the enclosure provides thermally protective shielding selectedfrom a fifth group consisting of: (1) thermally insulative shielding,(2) at least one sealed water jacket with a plug that inhibits lowtemperature evaporation but opens to allow evaporation or boiling ofcontained water during a high temperature fire exposure event so as tomaintain a temperature within the enclosure at a survivable level for atleast a portion of enclosed transducers.
 8. The system of claim 7comprising alternative (2) of the fifth group and additionallycomprising a pump for supplying water to the water jacket to provideenhanced thermal protection.
 9. The system of claim 4 wherein the atleast one DAU is portable and additionally comprises: C) a standcomprising a feature selected from a fifth group consisting of: (1) atleast one leg which is used to locate the working head off the groundwith an adjustable orientation and height, (2) at least three legs whichindividually contact the ground and are used to locate the working headoff the ground with an adjustable orientation and height, (4) at leastfour legs which individually contact the ground and are used to locatethe working head off the ground with an adjustable orientation andheight.
 10. A method of monitoring wildfires, comprising: a) providing aplurality of data acquisition units (DAUs); b) providing at least onedata integration and display station (DID) which provides and interfacewith a system user; c) obtaining real-time or near-real time dataconcerning fire relevant parameters from the DAUs and displaying suchdata on at least one DID; d) monitoring the displayed data; and e)making firefighting decisions, based at least in part, on the displayeddata; wherein the displayed data is in a combined graphical andtext-based format overlaid on an area map showing the positions of theplurality of DAUs.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the combinedgraphical and text-based display provides graphical information in atleast one form selected from the group consisting of: (G-i) graphicalindication of wind direction at a location corresponding to theplurality of DAUs; (G-ii) graphical indication of wind speed magnitudeat a location corresponding to the plurality of DAUs; (G-iii) graphicalindication of visible fire on a direction basis at a locationcorresponding to the plurality of DAUs; (G-iv) graphical indication ofpresence of flying embers in proximity to a location corresponding tothe plurality of DAUs; (G-v) flashing graphical elements indicating achange in data for which attention is required; (G-vi) visual imagesfrom a location corresponding to at least one of the plurality of DAUs;(G-vii) IR images from a location corresponding to at least one of theat plurality of DAUs; and wherein the combined graphical and text-baseddisplay provides text-based information of at least one type selectedfrom the group consisting of: (T-i) text-based indication of airtemperature at a location corresponding to at least one of the pluralityof DAUs; (T-ii) text-based air temperature trend information at alocation corresponding to at least one of the plurality of DAUs; (T-iii)text-based indication of IR heating level at a location corresponding toat least one of the plurality of DAUs; (T-iv) text-based IR heatinglevel trend information at a location corresponding to at least one ofthe plurality of DAUs; (T-v) text-based indication of humidity at alocation corresponding to at least one of the plurality of DAUs; (T-vi)text-based humidity trend information at a location corresponding to atleast one of the plurality of DAUs; (T-vii) text-based informationcorresponding to a location of at least one of the plurality of DAUs;and (T-viii) text-based information corresponding to a camera viewingorientation for at least one of the plurality of DAUs.
 12. The method ofmonitoring wildfires of claim 10, wherein at least one of the pluralityof DAUs comprises: A) a working head comprising a housing, a pluralityof sensors, and control and communication electronics; B) a power sourceconnected to the control and communication electronics; wherein theplurality of sensors comprise a plurality of transducers with at leastthree transducers selected from a first group consisting of: (1) atleast one wind speed to electrical signal transducer, (2) at least onewind direction to electrical signal transducer, (3) at least onehumidity to electrical signal transducer, (4) at least one airtemperature to electrical signal transducer, (5) at least one surfacetemperature to electrical signal transducer, (6) at least one gravitydirection to electrical signal transducer, (7) at least one compassdirection to electrical signal transducer, (8) at least one GPS locationto electrical signal transducer, (9) at least one GPS orientation toelectrical signal transducer, (10) at least one level to electricalsignal transducer, and (11) at least one barometric pressure toelectrical signal transducer; and wherein the plurality of sensorsfurther comprise at least one transducer selected from a second groupconsisting of: (1) at least one visible imaging to electrical signaltransducer, (2) at least one IR imaging to electrical signal transducer,and (3) a plurality of differently oriented non-imaging IR to electricalsignal transducers; and wherein the plurality of sensors furthercomprise at least two transducers selected from a third group consistingof: (1) at least one electrical signal to radio wave transducer, (2) atleast one radio wave to electrical signal transducer, (3) at least onesound to electrical signal transducer, (4) at least one user input toelectrical signal transducer, (5) at least one electrical signal to userunderstandable output signal transducer; and (6) a power source powerlevel transducer; and wherein the control and communication electronicscomprise circuitry configured to provide a plurality of functionscomprising: (1) sending radio signals carrying data derived from aplurality of the transducers; (2) receiving radio signals and modifyinga behavior of the DAU according to received signals; and (3) providingat least one function selected from a fourth group consisting of: (a)analyzing data obtained from at least one transducer to yield trendinformation from that transducer, (b) analyzing data obtained from atleast one transducer and based at least in part on the analysis,modifying data being transmitted by changing the type of data beingtransmitted, (c) analyzing data obtained from at least one transducerand based at least in part on the analysis, modifying data beingtransmitted by changing a power of a transmitted signal, (d) analyzingdata obtained from at least one transducer and based at least in part onthe analysis, modifying an electromagnetic frequency of a signal beingtransmitted, (e) analyzing data obtained from at least one transducerand based at least in part on the analysis, modifying a time frequencyof signals being transmitted, and (f) analyzing data obtained from atleast one transducer and then modifying an operational mode of the DAUbased at least in part on such analysis.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the at least one transducer of the second group comprises atleast two transducers, wherein the at least two transducers of the thirdgroup comprise at least three transducers, and wherein the at least onefunction of the fourth group comprises at least two functions.
 14. Themethod of claim 10 wherein at least one DAU of the plurality of DAUsadditionally comprises at least one solar blind sensor that isresponsive to selected filtered wavelengths.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein the at least one DAU provides the analyzing of alternative (f)of the fourth group and reports the modification of operational mode tothe at least one display device.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein theat least one DID comprises a program that is capable of simultaneouslydisplaying different types of information for at least two of theplurality of DAUs.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one DAUof the plurality of DAUs is portable and additionally comprises a standcomprising a feature selected from a fifth group consisting of: (1) atleast one leg which is used to locate the working head off the groundwith an adjustable orientation and height, (2) at least three legs whichindividually contact the ground and are used to locate the working headoff the ground with an adjustable orientation and height, (3) at leastfour legs which individually contact the ground and are used to locatethe working head off the ground with an adjustable orientation andheight.
 18. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one DAU of theplurality of DAU is mounted on an existing structure.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the existing structure comprises a structure selectedfrom a fifth group consisting of: (1) a building, (2) a fence post, and(3) a tree.
 20. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one DAU of theplurality of DAUs further comprises an enclosure for protecting at leasta portion of the at least one DAU, wherein the enclosure providesthermally protective shielding selected from a group consisting of: (1)thermally insulative shielding, (2) at least one sealed water jacketwith a plug that inhibits low temperature evaporation but opens to allowevaporation or boiling of contained water during a high temperature fireexposure event so as to maintain a temperature within the enclosure at asurvivable level for at least a portion of enclosed transducers.